BoxRec

Bernard Hopkins has been given until February 20 to come to terms with IBF mandatory challenger Robert Allen for his next fight. If unable to reach an agreement, purse bids will be held on March 2.
Hopkins, unless he secures a superfight, admits Allen will almost certainly be his next opponent.
Where does that leave Howard Eastman?

Not really surprised and no fault could be blamed on Eastman or his team in this respect. Haakar was the WBC number 1 contendor, Hopkins dealt with him. He then delt with the WBA number 1 contendor (remeber the paper champion must face the super champion after a certain time). Next its Allen.

Both Joppy and Allen have waited longer for their shot then Eastman, no-ones fault thats just how it is when a guy has 3 sanctioning bodies needs to fulfil.

I think if Eastman doesn't get his shot by the summer, then he should start asking questions.

I have no interest in seeing Hopkins in with Allen again, this will just keep ticking Hopkins over until one of the light middles risks the move upwards to face him.

yeah thats the frustrating part about this hopkins-allen fight, they've already fought before :x hopkins and allen should fight each other if i was hopkins i would have sided with that and i meet the winner but instead of that were gonna get an easy re-run before we get to eastman

Doesn't B-hop only have to defend his titles once every 18 months as a 'super' champ? Eastman's blond beard might be grey by the time he gets his shot.

Eastman is out of the picture believe me....As i said on boxingaddicts Now Tito is coming back Eastman has zero chance of getting his shot at Hopkins now.

Hopkins will bide his time untill he gets a fight with Tito or DLH which to be honest are much more appealing than Eastman vs Hopkins.

Eastman may deserve a shot as no1 contender but he hasnt done himself any favours by stagnating and fighting absolute nobodies.

HH

I think there is ZERO chance of Eastman getting a shot before Hopkins retires.

I do wonder whether his promoters have the clout either to secure the deal for him, Hopkins is such a tough negotiator, and Eastman's profile is too low.

Eastman should go to the states and kick up a storm, beat the top contenders, then he will get a shot at the title, I just cannot see any other way for him to get there.

Agreed......At the end of the day he hasnt helped himself...either that or his management have fucked up one of the two...

Its a shame really.

HH

Agree with all said, Eastman will never fight Hopkins unless there is a massive twist of fate. Eastman should consider moving up in weight to Super Middleweight and try his luck there, size should not be a problem as Eastman is after all a big Middleweight.

Howard is now facing that tough Russian guy Tatevosyan instead, Tatevosyan was due to face Uzbekistan's Kuvanych Toygonbayev for the WBC International title on the Tszyu-Mitchell undercard. But since that fight was cancelled Tatevosyan was freed up for Howard. Toygonbvaev has a 22-1 record and is rated in or around the top ten in the independent world rankings so i think he is the type of guy Eastman should be facing to keep busy.

No more Gary Beardsley's please

I started a thread a few weeks ago saying how I thought Howard should move upto Super middle he would have more chance of big fights there and would be capable of getting a belt and keeping it providing Calzaghe moved up.

HH

Is Eastman SERIOUSLY fighting Steve Bendall on 5th / 6th March defending all three titles ???
According to Boxing News he is.

Kieran wrote:Is Eastman SERIOUSLY fighting Steve Bendall on 5th / 6th March defending all three titles ???
According to Boxing News he is.

Looks like it, Beagle. Bendall was nominated as mandatory British title challenger to Eastman several months ago now, so unless Eastman gives up his British title, then it's got to happen soon.
Mick Currency must be getting desperate.

At least Eastman is keeping busy....it would be fatal for him to just wait around for Hopkins and

I hope he does get his shot some day, I like Eastman, I think if he was American he would have been a massive star, with his persona and colourful profile, plus the fact that is articulate and smart, he would have been PPV gold stateside. The Americans really took to Howard when he went over and fought Joppy, it was pretty unusual for them to be cheering the British fighter and booing their own guy.

Fighting Bendall is stupid........what does it achieve? No wonder hopkins isn't interested.

I dunno, I've never thought Eastman comes across well when interviewed. He often leaves me thinking "WTF is he talking about?"

The fact that he's solid but not explosive doesn't help him either. Too many of his fights go the same way, with him grinding the guy down and stopping him on his feet. I don't think he'd generate enough excitment either inside or outside the ring anywhere in the world to become a PPV star.

I'd love to see him against Robin Reid though.

So far his career/talent has been pretty much a waste IMO and its a shame becaise he could have done so much.

I really think its too late now and he has definately missed the boat.

HH

Kilburn wrote:I dunno, I've never thought Eastman comes across well when interviewed. He often leaves me thinking "WTF is he talking about?"

Me too. He has a stupid grin on his face and doesn't make eye contact with the interviewer. He comes across as not caring.

Well interviews I've read he comes across as quite articulate.

I've heard that Mick Hennessy is giving up Boxing to work in a Bureau De Change.

well....articulate, yet strange. I think eccentric is the word.

Same whats left of his career is being flushed downt he toilet, and he seems to be doing very little about it...

knockout artist wrote:I've heard that Mick Hennessy is giving up Boxing to work in a Bureau De Change.

You know, I almost feel sorry for the geezer. He tries.

Bennie,
Just realised an inaccuracy in my post.
Eastman is no longer Commonwealth Champ, I understand.
All the talk was of Eastman vacating British when this mandatory went to purse bids.
If this fight does take place, it says more about Eastman's World Title aspirations than anything else, because there's no way this mundane fight would happen if a major fight was remotely close.
I'm more disappointed for the up and coming middles - who now have only the English title to head for.
How old really is Howard ?
Reports vary. - but time is not on his side, whichever age you believe.
Bendall must think he's won the pools.

Kieran wrote:Bennie,
Just realised an inaccuracy in my post.
Eastman is no longer Commonwealth Champ, I understand.
All the talk was of Eastman vacating British when this mandatory went to purse bids.
If this fight does take place, it says more about Eastman's World Title aspirations than anything else, because there's no way this mundane fight would happen if a major fight was remotely close.
I'm more disappointed for the up and coming middles - who now have only the English title to head for.
How old really is Howard ?
Reports vary. - but time is not on his side, whichever age you believe.
Bendall must think he's won the pools.

Do you know for sure Eastman has relinquished his Commonwealth crown, Kieran? That could be good for Ryan Rhodes.
As for Eastman, presumably he will be defending against Bendall on the same show in Nottingham that sees Carl Froch challenge Tony Dodson for the British super-middleweight title.

Bennie,
In the board's infinite wisdom, they refused to sanction a Commonwealth fight recently involving Rhodes, which is why he ended up fighting Jackson.
Maybe I've got it wrong, and he is still a three title holder.

Kieran wrote:Bennie,
In the board's infinite wisdom, they refused to sanction a Commonwealth fight recently involving Rhodes, which is why he ended up fighting Jackson.
Maybe I've got it wrong, and he is still a three title holder.

Keiran, are you trying to say Eastman vs Rhodes was in negotations. That would have been interesting.